UFC Fight Night brings us a tantalizing strawweight clash as Virna Jandiroba squares off against Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci.
Virna Jandiroba
Last 3 bouts
Lose. Mackenzie Dern (Decision)
Win. Yan Xiaonan (Decision)
Win. Amanda Lemos (Submission)
Fighting style:
Elite grappler with world‑class Brazilian jiu‑jitsu background who blends control and submissions with patient pacing.
Strengths:
Exceptional jiu‑jitsu and submission work — 14 of 22 career wins by submission
Excellent positional control and takedown ability
Experience at the top of the strawweight division, including a title fight
Can grind out decisions if the fight stays technical
Weaknesses:
Striking is more functional than dynamic
Can be outpaced by pressure strikers
Recent title‑fight loss may affect confidence under high stakes
Keys to victory:
Close distance and impose grappling early
Hunt transitions and submission openings
Control Ricci on the mat and limit stand‑up exchanges
Use experience to navigate scrambles
Tabatha Ricci
Last 3 bouts
Win. Amanda Ribas (TKO)
Lose. Yan Xiaonan (decision)
Win. Angela Hill (decision)
Fighting style:
Well‑rounded mixed martial artist with solid striking, grappling, and submissions. Ricci balances pressure with technique rather than pure power.
Strengths:
Balanced skill set — capable of striking, grappling, and submissions
Good fight IQ and ability to adapt mid‑fight
Recent wins over veterans like Angela Hill show solid fundamentals
Evolving striking and emerging finishing instincts
Weaknesses:
Not as strong in pure grappling exchanges as Jandiroba
Can be bullied on the ground by elite grapplers
Less experience in title‑picture fights
Keys to victory:
Mix striking with takedown defense to avoid extended ground control
Use movement to frustrate Jandiroba’s grappling attempts
Capitalize on openings in stand‑up exchanges
Maintain pace to avoid being out‑worked in decisions
Odds
Virna Jandiroba -135
Tabatha Ricci +114
